Javier "Chicharito" Hernández made headlines on February 27, 2025, as he scored for Chivas Guadalajara, but unfortunately for him and his team, it was not enough to avoid defeat against Atlético San Luis. The match, part of the Jornada 9 fixtures of the Clausura 2025, ended with San Luis triumphing 3-1 at the Estadio Alfonso Lastras, leaving Chivas to grapple with defensive errors and dropped points.
Chivas entered the match with high hopes, aiming for another win after their previous victory against Pachuca. The team, captained by head coach Óscar García (who was absent due to illness during this match), expected to dominate against the struggling Atlético San Luis, who was sitting at the bottom of the Liga MX table without any wins at home. Yet, it quickly became clear the match would take unforeseen turns.
After both teams failed to score during the first half, San Luis came out strong following halftime. The opening goal came just minutes after the break when Sébastien Salles-Lamonge smoothly maneuvered the ball past Chivas goalkeeper Raúl 'Tala' Rangel. This was swiftly followed by two more goals, one by Vitinho and another by Léo Bonatini, pushing San Luis to 3-0 and seemingly placing Chivas on the brink of another disheartening defeat.
Despite the dire situation, the highlight of the night came from Hernández, who entered the match as a substitute. Chicharito took advantage of San Luis' defensive slip-up at the 74-minute mark. Receiving a well-placed pass, he circumvented the goalkeeper, Andrés Sánchez, and calmly sent the ball to the back of the net, marking his second league goal since returning to Chivas. "Chicharito se reencontró con el gol en Liga MX," reported Liga BBVA MX, underscoring the significance of the goal for the veteran striker.
This goal was particularly noteworthy for Chicharito; he had not scored in the league since April 2024. Just weeks earlier, he had found the net against Cibao in the Concacaf Champions Cup, but this moment was different. "No marcaba en el torneo desde abril del 2024," emphasized Liga BBVA MX, highlighting the lengthy goal drought he endured before this comeback.
After scoring, Hernández made gestures to the fans, seemingly responding to the criticism and boos from the crowd amid the team's poor performance. It was perhaps his way of reclaiming his stature and proving he still had the ability to impact games. "Chicharito hace gol en derrota de Chivas ante Atlético de San Luis," noted the reports, emphasizing how personal victories often come with the weight of team loss.
The night ended with the stark reality of the season highlighted for Chivas; they are struggling to find consistency and are currently sitting far from the playoff places with only eleven points from nine matches. Their test against Atlético San Luis could have been a chance to turn their season around, but it instead amplified the woes the team faces.
Looking forward, Chivas has matches against challenging teams, including three upcoming clásico matches against Club América, which might provide them with opportunities to bounce back. Hernández’s return to form is expected to be pivotal as the Rebaño Sagrado fans remain hopeful he will lead them to much-needed victories.
Despite the individual glory of Chicharito's goal, the overall performance of Chivas raises questions about their capabilities this season. With defensive frailties exposed and their inability to capitalize on chances, they need to find solutions quickly as they aim to salvage their campaign.